'They say April is the cruelest month, and it has been for the Sabres and their fans for a long, long time. But March is the month when we really start to suffer. We know what's coming isn't sunshine and songbirds. Or we're afraid we know.'

'Though he’s pondered retirement in recent years, Jeanneret can’t go yet. Whatever happens on the ice, the 64-year-old Jeanneret is signed through the end of next season. Hockey superagent Don Meehan used to negotiate his deals, but he’s his own rep now. “Yes, I got a raise,” he says. “No, I’m not going to tell you what I make.” Jeanneret has had other offers. Specifically, from two American teams who still have the same announcers, Jeanneret says. He said no.'

'“There’s no room,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “You can figure it’s going to be a tight battle. To lose three in a row at home is disappointing. It does bother you. But we’re the team that has to pick it up. We’ve been a good road team. We have to go on the road and do some damage.”'

'“It’s hilarious,” winger Andrew Peters said. “You’re playing in the NHL, still living at home and you still got your trophies from Pee Wee on the wall and all the banners from the novice tournaments. He’s probably got his first NHL point game puck up there with his game sheet.”'

‘”Right now we’re playing into it a little bit. Tonight was better (than Colorado or Minnesota), but it’s still a tough team to generate chances against, and then you have to get it past (Martin) Brodeur. We’re going to see it the rest of the year, and we’re going to have to just deal with it. We can’t be cute and pretty, we have to play ugly and play defense.”‘

‘With just under a minute to play, Buffalo attempted to pull Miller for an extra attacker but the Devils trapped them in the neutral zone. Miller finally got to the bench with about thirty seconds left, but there was not enough time for the Sabres to set up and generate any scoring chances.’